NAIROBI, Aug 19: Wicket-keeper Mohindu Singh Dhoni's unbeaten 119 helped India 'A' overwhelm Pakistan 'A' by eight wickets in the Nairobi one-day triangular tournament on Thursday.
Dhoni, whose 134-ball knock contained nine fours and five sixes, and opener Gautam Gambhir (79) put on 169 for the second wicket as the Indians reached their target in 45 overs.
Earlier, a sensational collapse saw Pakistan 'A' lose their last seven wickets for eight runs. After looking on course for a substantial total at 226 for three in the 43rd over, Pakistan 'A's innings subsided dramatically to 4 all out in 46.2 overs.
Misbahul Haq, who hit 106 off 103 balls including eight fours and four sixes, and Bazid Khan (87 off 112 balls, eight fours and three sixes) added 189 for the third wicket before Bazid was run out.
India 'A' captain Sairaj Bahutule was the wrecker-in-chief with figures of four for 38 in 9.2 overs with his leg-spinners. Shib Paul chipped in with three for 44. Apart from Bazid and Misbah, only Naved Latif (17) managed to enter double figures in what was a thoroughly disappointing batting display by the Pakistanis. Pakistan 'A' need to win their final league match against Kenya on Friday to qualify for Saturday's final against Indians.
SCOREBOARD
PAKISTAN 'A':
Kamran Akmal c Bahutule b Bhandari 1
Naved Qureshi b Bhandari 5
Bazid Khan run out 87
Misbahul Haq b Bahutule 106
Naved Latif b Paul 17
Qaiser Abbas c Venugopal b Bahutule 0
Faisal Iqbal b Paul 1
Riaz Afridi b Paul 1
Mansoor Amjad st Dhoni b Bahutule 3
Rao Iftikhar not out 1
Junaid Zia st Dhoni b Bahutule 0
EXTRAS (LB-4, W-5, NB-3) 12
TOTAL (all out, 46.2 overs) 234
FALL OF WKTS: 1-8, 2-8, 3-197, 4-226, 5-226, 6-228, 7-229, 8-2, 9-234.
